Meet the Trainer: Erik Choron
CBT Nuggets Trainer Erik Choron is a proud Texan with over 20 years of IT experience and nearly 20 certifications. He specializes in cybersecurity and digital forensics and is dedicated to empowering learners through IT training.
Before joining CBT Nuggets in 2022, Erik served in the U.S. Army, rising through the ranks from Private to First Sergeant. Erik's teaching style is all about getting hands-on experience, and his philosophy is simple: “Don’t rush yourself. Take one step at a time. Learn the basics and go from there.”
When he’s not creating CBT Nuggets courses, you’ll probably find him spending time with his family, doing A/V for professional wrestling events, or wrenching on old cars and trucks. We sat down with Erik to learn more about what makes him tick.
What attracted you to technology? What inspired you to pursue a career in IT? I got my first home computer in 1995 and learned to program in Pascal. I learned early on that a lot could be accomplished with IT and that, for the most part, wasn’t difficult. My high school geometry/programmer teacher, Podge, was the person who pushed me in the right direction to keep at IT. In 2000, I enlisted in the Army and, thanks to Podge, I took a specialty in IT. And that later became Cybersecurity and investigations.
What’s something unique or surprising about your journey into IT that others might not know? Due to a multitude of reasons, I didn’t finish high school. I was able to get my GED and then join the Army. And during those 21 years, I was able to start back to school by going to college and obtain certifications/practice along the way. When I retired in 2023, I had gone from Private to First Sergeant and completed my Doctorate in Digital Forensics. Don’t give up.
What motivated you to become a trainer? To help people. Everyone is different and learns differently. I try to work alongside you during our lessons together and I never forget that you are with me as I’m doing something. As a Noncommissioned Officer (NCO), we train soldiers in everything from weapons to technical equipment. And it means the world to me when I see a learner go forth and achieve awesome things.
What’s an unexpected moment you’ve had while teaching? Recently, in the Security+ (SY0-701) course, we all took a journey under my truck. Literally. I couldn’t think of a better way to do a walk-through on risk assessments, so as luck would have it, something was wrong with my truck as we needed to do a risk assessment on it.
Do you have any more fun anecdotes or stories from your training sessions? There is a skill I did early on covering physical security, and I went to a local store (with permission!) to film the outside of it and point out some of the exterior IT components. While filming, I was questioned by the local police. No big deal. In fact, they were practicing some of the very same security steps I was covering throughout the course by stopping by and asking me questions. So it was good to see that security basics are being practiced by both public and private sectors.
When I’m not making CBT Nuggets videos, you’ll find me… Most likely at a professional wrestling show of some kind. My side hobby is doing A/V for wrestling events in Texas. I also do mechanical work on older cars and trucks.
I’m passionate about IT training because… I have enjoyed every second of working in cybersecurity and investigations. We defend against the bad and if something bad does happen, we hunt them down for the legal folks to handle. And I want each and every one of y’all to know that you can start at any time!
Can you describe some of the courses or topics you’ve been working on recently? Most recent release has been the CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) course, where I got the privilege to work with Kieth Barker! Before that, we’ve previously completed CySA+ (CS0-003) and some introduction to Digital Forensics. I’m currently working on some updates for Cisco CCNP Security Core, and some more content in advanced digital forensics.
What do you hope your learners take away from your courses beyond just technical knowledge? Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics, anything IT for that matter, isn’t a secret club that requires a secret handshake. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. Anybody, from all walks of life, can do what we do.
Train with Erik Choron:
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Erik brings a straightforward, honest touch to teaching IT. Erik's courses are a great place to start if you’re ready to dig into cybersecurity, learn, and pick up skills from someone who’s been under the hood and in the trenches. And while you’re at it, be sure to check out Erik’s favorite nugget: Elements of Risk Management.
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